Cronut Burger Food Poisoning Blamed For More Than 100 CNE Sicknesses

A Toronto Public Health Investigation into the food poisoning of more than 100 people at the Toronto Canadian Nation Exhibition (CNE) concluded that the one thing sick patrons had in common was eating the cronut burger.

The cronut burger did it. A Toronto Public Health investigation into the food poisoning of more than 100 people at Toronto's Canadian Nation Exhibition (CNE) concluded that the one thing sick patrons had in common was eating the notorious doughnut-croissant-cheeseburger invention.

Health officials said food samples of the cronut burgers were contaminated with staphylococcus aureus, or staph aureus, a type of bacteria often found on skin, hair, noses and throats of people and animals. It can cause food poisoning when a contaminated handler touches food and doesn't refrigerate it properly.

"Early laboratory tests indicated that samples of the cronut burger were contaminated by staphylococcus aureas toxin,'' he said.

Contaminated surfaces and equipment can also play a factor, because staphylococcus often multiplies quickly.

Symptoms of the illness range from an upset stomach to diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. TPH is continuing its investigation to determine how the contamination occurred in the first place.

Initial reports on Wednesday put the number of sick at around a dozen, but TPH said they received about 150 reports of gastrointestinal symptoms from people who ate at the CNE between Aug. 16 and Aug. 20.

The connection between the food poisoning and the heavily publicized cronut burger, the crown jewel of the fair's 2013 'food' offerings, has triggered a firestorm of reaction on social media, and international media ridicule.

CNE general manager David Bednar says the CNE is now confident that the outbreak is over.

Also on HuffPost:

Close



2013 CNE 'Food'

of





CREATORS: Epic Burgers And Waffles and Le Dolci
WHAT'S IN IT? A maple bacon cronut rolled in cinnamon sugar stuffed with a beef patty, cheese and topped with a homemade maple bacon jam.

From Far East Taco: Just as delicious as it sounds, with a healthy dosage of kimchi for spectacular flavour.

From Far East Taco: Marinated barbecued beef on a taco shell, served with kimchi (of course) and lime

From Pull'd: Triple layered red velvet pancakes loaded with slow-roasted and smoked pulled pork with a signature barbecue sauce and topped with a Jack Daniels-infused maple syrup. The booth is also offering 'Stack'd,' pulled pork between a German pretzel bun, topped with two seared three-cheese perogies and their signature coleslaw.

From Pull'd: Back by popular demand, the Epic Burger showcases a six-ounce beef patty, lettuce, tomato and cheese, sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme doughnuts. You can also, if you so choose, add in a fried egg and bacon.

From Just Cone It: A variety of foods in cones, including pepperoni pizza, shepherd's pie, "Olympus" (a salad of tomatoes, onions, feta, cucumber and oregano), and for dessert, "dirty bacon": Nutella and bacon.

From Dutch Frites: These deep-fried delicious treats come in a variety of flavours, including (from left) Bitter Ballin' with beef ragout, some chicken croquettes with chicken ragout, Frickin' Dough, a sausage deep-fried, butterflied and served with curry ketchup, mayo and raw onions -- and of course, the round, puck-like banh mi with Thai noodles and nasi with fried rice.

From Big Apple Fritter: Apples peeled, cored, slice and deep-fried in a special batter, then topped with cinnamon and icing sugar. There's also an option to add ice cream and/or maple syrups, while slice apples with caramel is available as a healthier choice.

From Bacon Nation: The deep-fried beer-battered bacon-wrapped hot dog on a stick.

From Northwest Fudge Factory: Caramelized bacon put on top of fudge and drizzled in chocolate. Also available at the booth: Deep-fried fudge, which is fudge dipped in doughnut batter.

From Sweetness Bakery: A kabob-style dessert composed of chunks chocolate-covered cupcakes sandwiched between pieces of strawberry. The booth will also have squares, cookies and 24 varieties of cupcakes, including Brownie Explosion and Cotton Candy.

From Sweet Treats: Doughnut batter filled with Rice Krispies and marshmallow, drizzled in either raspberry, vanilla, caramel or chocolate. Sweet Treats is also home to the famed deep-fried butter, and the "breakfast of champions": deep-fried butter and chocolate-covered bacon.